Walnut Creek Psychiatry

08/22/2026

💊 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐬. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇: If I see a mental health professional, I'll automatically be prescribed medication.

𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: Seeking mental health care doesn't automatically mean medication.

Everyone's needs are different. For some people, medication may be a helpful part of treatment. For others, care may involve therapy, lifestyle changes, coping strategies, or a combination of approaches.

The right treatment plan should be a conversation between you and a qualified mental health professional—one that considers your individual needs and goals.

Because your mental health care should be built around 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 💙

08/21/2026

Our Walnut Creek Psychiatry team is looking forward to 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐈𝐨𝐰𝐚 on Saturday, September 26th at 9:30 am!

NAMI's invaluable services, life-changing programs, and comprehensive education/guidance are made possible by all of us. The whole community powers the difference that NAMI Iowa makes, and we are all grateful to participate and sponsor the walk again this year.

Interested in walking with us or supporting the cause this fall? 🔗 https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/86411

https://youtu.be/E3tgnSkS1cE?si=6SDClH23Kfjt-xnz

NAMIWalks brings people together to know they are not alone and fun...

08/18/2026

🫶🏼 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲

There’s something special about the trust that develops when a provider has the opportunity to care for a family over time.

This week’s testimonial recognizes Erin for creating a comfortable, supportive environment where patients and families can feel heard, respected, and cared for—even when navigating difficult situations.

That sense of connection matters. Mental health care works best when families feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and working alongside their provider to determine the next steps.

Thank you to Erin for the dedication and compassion she brings to her patients every day—and thank you to the families that trust Walnut Creek Psychiatry with their care. 💚

08/18/2026

⚖️ 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲

Have you heard of 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲?

It’s the practice of staying grounded and steady with what’s happening around you—even when what’s happening isn’t what you wanted, expected, or hoped for.

It doesn’t mean you have to like a difficult situation or ignore how you feel. It means allowing yourself to acknowledge the moment without immediately fighting against it.

When you’re having a hard time, try these three simple mindfulness practices:

🌊 Take three long, slow breaths, making your exhale a little longer than your inhale.
🌊 Notice your body in the present moment. Feel your feet on the ground or your body supported by the chair beneath you.
🌊 Repeat to yourself: “For now, it’s like this.”

You don’t have to fix everything in this moment. Sometimes the first step is simply meeting yourself exactly where you are.

08/16/2026

🌿 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲

Your mind deserves a little room to breathe.

Today, try giving yourself just 𝟏𝟓–𝟐𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞—without worrying about being productive or checking something off your list.

🐦 Listen to the birds.
🌬️ Feel the breeze.
🌅 Watch the sunset.
🌼 Notice five beautiful things around you.

Pay attention to what you can see, hear, and feel. Let yourself simply be present for a few minutes.

Self-care doesn’t always require doing more. Sometimes, slowing down is exactly what your mind needs.

08/16/2026

💛 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲

You don’t have to wait until your relationship is in crisis to talk to someone.

Couples Therapy at Walnut Creek Psychiatry provides a safe, supportive space to communicate openly, better understand one another, and work toward a healthier relationship together.

𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖:

• Strengthen communication
• Work through conflict
• Rebuild trust and connection
• Navigate major life changes
• Recognize and change unhelpful relationship patterns

Therapy isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about helping both partners feel heard, understood, and supported as you work toward shared goals.

Whether you’re navigating a difficult season or simply want to strengthen your connection, support is available.

🌿 In-person and secure telehealth appointments are available.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 at WalnutCreekPsych.com/therapy.

Our therapists draw on a wide range of proven approaches to help you find healing and growth, including:

08/14/2026

🧠 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐬. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

❌ 𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇: Therapy is only for people with a serious mental illness.

💚 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.

Therapy can provide a safe, supportive space to navigate anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationships, stress, life changes, and many of the challenges that come with simply being human.

It can also be a place to better understand yourself, develop healthier coping skills, and work toward personal goals.

At Walnut Creek Psychiatry, therapy is personalized around YOU—your experiences, your needs, and what you hope to achieve.

Taking care of your mental health doesn’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming. 🌳

08/12/2026

💙 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between everyday stress and something that may need a little more support.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) created a helpful infographic that can help you better understand:

✔️ Signs to pay attention to
✔️ Healthy ways to care for yourself
✔️ When it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Should I talk to someone?” this can be a helpful place to start.

You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. Asking for support is a sign of strength. 🫶🏼

08/11/2026

Sometimes finding the right mental health treatment takes time, patience, and a willingness to keep exploring what works.

That’s why we believe care should feel like a partnership.

This week’s testimonial recognizes Erin for taking the time to listen, research options, carefully monitor treatment, and consider the many factors that can affect a person’s mental well-being.

From medication management to sleep, nutrition, therapy, exercise, and additional treatment options when needed, our goal is to see and care for the whole person—not simply a diagnosis.

We’re also especially proud to see our nurses and medical assistants recognized for the compassion they bring to our patients every day. 🫶🏼

Thank you for trusting Erin and the Walnut Creek Psychiatry team with your care—and for taking the time to share your experience with others.

08/10/2026

What if, instead of treating anxiety like the enemy, you thought of it as an alert system?

Anxiety can be uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s your mind and body trying to tell you that something needs your attention.

When those feelings start to build, try slowing down and acknowledging what’s happening rather than immediately fighting against it.

Take a breath and remind yourself:

🌿 “Anxiety is trying to keep me safe.”

🌿 “I can listen to the message of my body.”

🌿 “I’m here now.”

You don’t have to figure everything out at once. Give yourself permission to pause, notice what you’re feeling, and come back to the present moment.